Thailand: Authorities Launch Inquiry into “Disappearances”

In response to Human Rights Watch's report on enforced disappearances in Thailand, Assistant National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew announced on March 20 that the Royal Thai Police had set up an inquiry into the "disappearances" we documented. On March 21, Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont confirmed government support for a parallel investigation by the Justice Ministry's Department of Special Investigation. On March 22, the National Counter- Corruption Commission (NCCC) took long-awaited steps toward pressing charges against a senior police officer implicated in torture and "disappearance" cases documented by Human Rights Watch. And on March 23 the Royal Thai Police transferred two senior officers suspected of involvement in the abduction and "disappearance" of a prominent human rights lawyer, whose case we had also documented, to inactive posts. Encouraged by these groundbreaking steps, Human Rights Watch will continue to publicize the findings of our report and press the Thai government and the international community to take further action to end the culture of impunity surrounding "disappearances" in Thailand.